Matt Braughler joined Defenders of Wildlife as vice president of philanthropy in the summer of 2020.

Braughler oversees all of the organization’s philanthropic fundraising and outreach strategies. He leads a team that cultivates partnerships with key constituencies including foundations, individual donors, and other like-minded partners who share Defenders’ dedication to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities.

Braughler has over 15 years of fundraising experience across the public and philanthropic sectors. He was the vice president of philanthropic partnerships at the National Geographic Society, served as director of development for the Pew Research Center and as vice president of development at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) where he oversaw corporate, foundation, and individual donor revenue and served as the director of development at Trout Unlimited.

Braughler graduated with a B.A. in management and sports marketing from Indiana University.